Ch.331Foolish Children

I received reports from the Greek forces in Baghdad.

The impressive Greek army, having thoroughly swept through Iraq, is now advancing across the border into Iran.

They say the campaign is progressing so easily that they’re capturing cities like taking candy from a baby. We’re providing supplies, but still can’t send military support.

More accurately, we should consider it as stationing troops in occupied territories.

“Iraqi and Iranian forces received Western training, but their weapons are terrible. They’re using what the Americans used in the war against Japan.”

Western training, huh. They were probably outmatched from the start in training too. Who exactly does “Western” refer to here? The Rome Treaty, of course.

They received military training from the Rome Treaty forces and were armed with American weapons.

Hmm, when you look at it that way, the cause of their defeat seems quite clear.

“So they have outdated American weapons.”

“Yes. These are the same American-made weapons that weren’t even properly tested against Argentina in South America.”

Right. Those American-made weapons. The outdated ones.

Has news from South America not reached the Middle East yet? Or do they know but mistakenly think it was because Brazil was too weak?

Either way, things are progressing quite smoothly.

“Such outdated weapons could never defeat the Greek forces.”

American weapons would have their limitations.

“Yes, Your Majesty. Meanwhile, the Greek forces have been battle-hardened through engagements with Italian forces and have received Russian-style training from the Rome Treaty Organization. They have abundant aircraft, small arms, and supplies.”

“And the other side is divided.”

An army supplied by all of Europe. How could anyone stop that?

The Greek forces were bound to win this battle.

If that’s the case, couldn’t we easily push through Afghanistan as well?

Perhaps I’ve been unnecessarily cautious until now.

As a Korean, my impression of the Middle East was that while their armies weren’t particularly strong, the terrorists were quite troublesome.

In fact, some people who were angry at the Greek forces tried to take it out on me and ended up meeting Allah.

Hmm, how should I think about this?

Should I really attack Afghanistan? What if Greece takes it from us? My thoughts are quite complicated right now.

Is there a possibility that Greece will win? Isn’t it more likely they’ll lose?

The quality difference in weapons is severe, but they can’t bring armored units in either.

“This gives me much to consider.”

“Surely you’re not thinking of attacking Afghanistan, which hasn’t yet been discussed with the Greek forces?”

Drozdovsky is right. If there’s a plan, we can’t attack. We shouldn’t attack.

The Greek forces absolutely must not move until permission from the Rome Treaty Organization is granted.

If they insist on moving anyway, well, I can’t stop them.

“We need to consider the possibilities. Their current actions seem a bit suspicious.”

They’re ignoring my words.

They dare ignore my words? This is essentially the same as ignoring the Rome Treaty Organization.

Greece has already crossed the line.

Of course, I only gave a warning, so they’re the ones pushing boundaries. But what if the Greek forces end up stuck in Afghanistan?

“That may be true. But it doesn’t seem like something you need to worry about too much.”

Ungern is making it sound so easy.

If this isn’t something to worry about, then what is?

If Greece gets stuck in Afghanistan and gets violated in Panjshir, it becomes troublesome.

We can’t even bring T-35s there. Tsk, tsk.

“Not something to worry about?”

After all, Greece is a member state of the Rome Treaty Organization. Don’t worry too much, he says.

Why isn’t this something to worry about? While I’m agonizing over this, those crazy Greeks are resurrecting Alexander with European support.

I’m not saying I’m jealous. I’m saying they’re crazy. They’ll become arrogant after slaughtering their enemies.

What if they end up buried in the graveyard of empires and get crushed?

“Doesn’t it not matter? The Rome Treaty Organization has established the ‘Hellenism Line’ up to Iran. We agreed to invade Afghanistan only after pushing to Iran and if our proposal isn’t accepted. Not now.”

Right. But why? Ah, wait. I understand what he means.

This is actually quite advantageous for us to exploit.

“So if they win in Afghanistan, we can say they acted recklessly on their own, and we’ll clean up after them. If they fail, we can say they ignored our warnings.”

In other words, we hold all the cards.

It doesn’t matter whether Greece spectacularly destroys the graveyard of empires or not.

Either way, we benefit by cleaning up afterward.

“Exactly.”

“Hmm, when I think about it that way, it feels different.”

Greece is making things easy for us.

Well, we’re satisfied. We’ll clean up everything Greece messes up, take care of what needs to be taken care of, and provide support generously.

It would be good to make Islam pro-Rome as well.

That’s what I’ll do with those who treat me like Allah.

“In the end, it’s the Greeks’ choice. Your Majesty has done nothing wrong.”

“I suppose so. The Greeks will take the blame, I’ll be seen as Allah, and it’s perfect. In the distant future, only Greece will be recorded as the villain.”

I don’t feel entirely guilt-free, but well. This is how everyone operates.

Greece is simply self-destructing through foolish actions. Nothing more, nothing less.

It’s not like I’m killing Greece, so shouldn’t they be grateful to me?

“For that to happen, we need to secure Iraq. How is public sentiment in Baghdad? I hope Faisal isn’t doing anything unnecessary?”

“We’re managing the situation as best we can.”

Yes. You need to manage it well. That’s what makes things workable for us.

“We need to show that we’re different from the Greeks.”

Unlike Greece, we’re sincerely working for peace! That’s the message.

Later, how nice would it be if the UN directly provided support to restore areas damaged by Greece?

“Yes. We’re certainly doing that, Your Majesty.”

“But it seems you have something to say.”

You’ve been fidgeting like a puppy that needs to pee. What is it? I am the great Tsar.

Don’t hold back what you want to say just because I’m a woman. Speak boldly.

What could possibly make the great Zhukov make such a face?

“It’s not that, Your Majesty. I was wondering if perhaps you should step back a bit now.”

“Step back? Are you suggesting I retire to the back room?”

“What are you saying, General Zhukov? Our Majesty is still in excellent health! She will remain on the Tsar’s throne for a thousand years!”

Ungern stood up angrily from his seat.

Though a thousand years is a bit much.

It’s understandable to be angry given the hierarchy. Ungern is nominally the Commander-in-Chief, and Drozdovsky is the Chief of Staff.

Yes, that statement sounds like “you’ve been at it for a long time, so retire to the back room.” It feels like that, which is a bit unpleasant.

I may have aged a bit, but am I really at the point where I need to hear such things?

I feel quite wronged.

At my age and with my appearance, I should be able to continue for a few hundred more years, right?

“No, that’s not what I meant. By now, we should have already removed our rank insignia and returned to our homeland.”

What’s that supposed to mean? Ah.

“Ah, about ignoring the terrorism?”

Well, I told them to just watch from behind, so it shouldn’t matter.

I did that. I deliberately told them to keep their distance. People were afraid, so I told them to keep a proper distance. Each time, they complained about terrorism issues. I deliberately ignored them.

If I could gain Islamic support by proving I’m Allah, it’s not a bad deal.

Of course, it hurts every time I get hit by a bomb or bullet. But it’s not unbearable.

It just feels like my body stretches like rubber and then reattaches itself.

“When you say ‘ignoring,’ I feel quite guilty.”

“Your Majesty, we feel the same.”

“Yes. You’re too reckless. No matter how well you recover, this is too much.”

Ungern and Drozdovsky agreed.

Yes, that may be so. But my thoughts are a bit different.

“It can’t be helped. If I step in, things end more quickly.”

“Everyone knows Your Majesty is a saint who bullets and bombs cannot harm, but what if something unexpected happens?”

Yes, unexpected things can happen.

For example, I could suddenly get shot and die. It’s a very remote possibility, but it could happen.

But, you know, I think it doesn’t matter.

Let me be honest. I’ve lived long enough.

They’ll probably object if I say this.

“I forced you not to protect me, so it doesn’t matter.”

After all, I said I was fine. I am literally a saint.

If I were going to die, I probably would have died long ago. Nothing works against me.

“Even so, this doesn’t feel right.”

Yes. I understand. I fully understand the position of being a subject. So, I’ll cut back.

I’ll just have one more round in the Middle East and then stop.

“Don’t worry. I’ll only do it twice more.”

This Middle East war will probably be the last region where I use Tanghuru.

After this, as someone who doesn’t create new enemies, I probably won’t have much reason to use Tanghuru again.

I want to stop this business as much as possible.

“Twice, you say? What are those two times?”

“Iran and Afghanistan. I need to use it in those two places.”

Iran and Afghanistan. Of course, Afghanistan is something to consider later. The possibility is low.

It’s almost exclusively Iran.

“It sounds like you’re talking about two countries, not regions.”

Of course. Is this something to do only in Iraq?

For me, if I can bring Islam under me like this, that’s good enough.

“It’s not like terrorism happens every time, General Zhukov.”

“That’s true, but…”

Don’t look so depressed. I’d prefer to just stay put if possible.

But I have to do something to resolve this situation that’s been messed up by Greece.

“I suppose so. It’s like watching my father, the previous Tsar, die. But don’t worry. I’m fine.”

I don’t care how you feel!

That’s what it means.

I’d say “If you don’t like it, take off your rank insignia and leave!” but Zhukov is too competent.

“We officers can’t help but worry about Your Majesty.”

“I understand. There’s not much left anyway. I’m planning to take care of myself now. Don’t worry too much. I don’t want to feel my flesh tearing anymore.”

So leave the Tsar alone.

Seriously, I’m going to quit after this job is done.

“The feeling of flesh tearing?”

“Yes, that’s what it feels like. When I get shot, it feels like a hole is being punched through me, and when I’m caught in an explosion, it feels like my flesh is being torn. It’s not like I enjoy doing this.”

That’s probably what normal humans feel.

The pain of dying, of being torn apart. I feel that while still being alive.

I’m saying I’ll stop after doing a moderate amount because it feels unpleasant.

“So you’ve been feeling this all along?”

“Yes. Unfortunately, God doesn’t seem to have been merciful enough to spare me that.”

How nice it would be if I didn’t feel pain.

From my perspective, making me feel pain is like saying “reach a happy ending quickly before you feel more pain.”

I think anyone who isn’t crazy enough to enjoy pain would try to restrain themselves like I am.

“So in Petrograd, in Poland, and in all other battlefields where you were attacked…”

Ungern spoke with a trembling voice.

Of course, I felt the pain every time back then too.

“Yes. I feel the pain. So don’t worry too much. After this Middle East tour, I won’t be doing this kind of thing again.”

There won’t be anything like this again, so please just bear with me for this Middle East campaign!

I’m saying this sincerely, but somehow all the officers in the command are staring at me.

Why are you looking at me like that? I’m really fine! I won’t do it again. I wish you’d believe me now.

“Sob… We had no idea all this time!”

Mikhail Drozdovsky suddenly started crying.

“I don’t understand why everyone is acting like this.”

It’s unseemly for grown men to be crying like this.

Is this really something to cry about?

“We will ensure that Your Majesty never again throws your sacred body into such danger!”

You don’t need to go that far. Why are you shedding tears?

Logically thinking, this doesn’t seem like something to cry about.

I’m the one who should feel sorry. Having a body that can’t die, I run around directly while pushing soldiers who can die onto the battlefield.

I’d rather not say this, but…

Since the White Army has already deified me, I thought it would be okay to say this.

“Mother Tsar, your unworthy children have committed a great sin.”

Now Ungern has collapsed, with tears and snot streaming down his face.

Ah, well. Why are you embarrassing me like this?